SCKLM: Suraus for Muslim Runners

Standard Chartered KL Marathon is only a few days left and we want you to go through the smoothest experience you’ve ever had. This time round we would like to help all the muslims to feel at ease performing prayers during the running period.

Here are the routes provided by the organizer:

Half Marathon Route Map

For half marathon, the suggested prayer area is located at the side road of the Lebuhraya Duta – Ulu Kelang (DUKE) when you’ve reached 11km, slightly after you pass the water station. Though there is only one surau suggested here, there are also few mosque along the road.

The first mosque you’ll pass through is the Masjid Jamek before you hit 1km running. After 14km running, you’ll meet another mosque Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan. If you can make it on time, at the end of the route, you’ll see the last mosque which is Masjid Negara.

 

Full Marathon Route Map

As for Full Marathon, more suraus are suggested here. The first surau you’re going to pass is at 14km running (close to Tabung Haji & water station). Then, you’ll see a surau by the road side of Jalan Ampang after 15km run. After Kompleks Sukan Datuk Keramat and LRT Jelatek you’ll find another surau located at the road side of Jalan Jelatek. At 19km run, the surau is located close to the checkpoint by the road of Jalan Setiawangsa. The last surau that is suggested for marathoner is close to the checkpoint is at the DUKE road, that is after 26km running.

Just to inform, the mosque available near the route is the same as what the half marathoner will pass: Masjid Jamek, Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan and Masjid Negara.

Few tips on prayer guidance:

  1. Don’t forget your prayers even when you’re running
  2. Jangan lupa solat walaupun bersukan berjam-jam! (in bahasa Malaysia)

Hope this helps! Share it with others so they can also schedule their prayers early before the run! 🙂

Don’t forget your prayers even when you’re running

How do you prepare yourself for prayers when the running event slits between the praying time?

A common question that is always brought up in a running event that’s held at Fajr (sunrise) and Maghrib (sunset). Well, it’s not hard as it sounds. You just have to get use to it.

Tips that can be used to keep you ready for prayers
IF YOU PREFER TO READ IN BAHASA MALAYSIA, YOU CAN FIND THE BM VERSION HERE

 

Sports Attire

  1. Wear a sports outfit that are well covered and can be used for prayers. Nashata offers a range that you could wear for prayers.
    Azlina Idris wears the Nashata Riada top and pants. Here’s her review.
    “During the SCKLM, I was also able to perform Subuh prayers without the need for a telekung.”
  2. If you want to pray in more hygienic manner, it’s probably best if you bring your prayer veil in a small backpack. Make sure the prayer veil is light enough so your running speed won’t get affected.
  3. For men and women, you can do the prayer with sports shoes you wear. But make sure you do not step on dirty items and you are sure your shoes are clean. Women can wear socks to avoid seen aurah during prayer.

 

Ablution

  1. If you want to reduce time for ablution, take it before your activity starts.
  2. If you are short on time for morning prayers, you can just stop for a while and pray. You don’t have to take shower because sweating doesn’t cause your prayers invalid – Ustaz Muhammad Yusuf Kadir-
  3. If your route passes by water stations, you could use the water provided for ablution. However, be caution. Organisers or volunteers may not allow you to use allocated drinking water for ablution. Try negotiate. Don’t use too much water.
  4. You can bring along a 100ml spray as ablution. It is small and easy to carry. Here’s a video on how to perform ablution using a 100 ml spray bottle.

5. Ladies, you can take ablution in public if you have the Nashata Iman Sports Hijab on.  Watch this video to find out how to take ablution with hijab on.

 

What should you do if it is too late for prayer time?

1) Find a place that is believed to be clean for praying.

2) Know the direction of Mecca. You can download the Qibla direction indicator applications in the mobile phone or carry a compass direction in advance. There are many free apps in Google Play (Android) and App Store (iOS) that you can download.

3) Use cloth as mat

4) For the purposes of safety for women, be sure to pray in public areas that are closed but safe. Ideally, if you pray in an area that isn’t intended for prayers, make sure you are not alone.

 

Nevertheless, Be Prepared!

Here are some action items you could do prior to the running events:

1) Ask the organizers relevant info for prayers.

2) Find a nearby gas stations along the way to use (there are many gas stations that provide a place to pray)

3) Search for the nearest mosque.

4) You can use the latest technology to find relevant information via internet or GPS applications to find any mosque.

5) Know the timing and location of your prayers or provided nearby. You can devise how long you will be running or cycling exercises of performance before the event. Make plans in advance to visit the site so that you become more aware of your surroundings.

6) Know praying times at the location of sporting events in advance. This is especially important when you join sporting events abroad.

Running Hijabists

Running Hijabists

Every good action you do is countable as deeds. No matter where you are, always remember prayer is the pillar of religion.

Good Luck & Share With Your Muslim Friends!

 

How to Complete Reading the Quran in 21 Days

“Ramadan is the (month) in which the Quran was sent down, as a guide to mankind and a clear guidance and judgment (so that mankind will distinguish from right and wrong) (2:183)

In honour and remembrance of that, some would devote time to complete reading and understanding the Quran during Ramadhan.  There are many other ways to complete reading the Quran during Ramadhan. Do what works for you. Below is my sharing on how to complete reading the Quran within 21 days.

Other than Tarawih, reading the Quran during Ramadhan is good. There are 30 juz with 6236 verses (ayat)  in the Quran. In 21 days, you need to read in average 300 verses, and allocate 4-5 hours a day, should you want to complete the Quran. This is assuming it takes 1 min to read a verse. Many can read a verse in less than 30 seconds.

1. How can you find 4-5 hours/day?

Whether or not you are working, you can find time within these slots

  • 75 mins after you have completed morning meal/sahur or after morning/Subuh prayers
  • 1 hour during lunch break hour or after Zhuhur/afternoon prayers
  • 1 hour after work or after Asar prayers
  • 45 mins between Maghrib and Isya prayers
  • 1 hour after Isya or tarawih prayers

2. What are the mediums to read the Quran?
Whether you choose to read the translation of the Quran or recite the Quran in Arabic, it does not really matter. Here are the medium you could use:

  • hard copy of the Quran
  • hard copy of the Quran with translation of your preferred language
  • digital version of the Quran when traveling or everyday reading on the move; web based sites like quran.com, app on electronic devices. Sometimes the digital version provides a translator and an audio reader. These functions can aid your reading and comprehension of the verses in the Quran
  • You can choose both, hardcopy and digital version of the Quran concurrently

I use multiple mediums to cross reference.

3. Here is a plan to complete the Quran in its entirety during Ramadhan
More verses are planned out the first few days and the number is reduced towards day 21. This is because many women tend to be busy towards the end of Ramadhan, plus women get a few days time off in a month.

Ramadhan quran reading planner

May Allah accept our deeds, soften our hearts and grant us forgiveness. Have a bless Ramadhan!